Printing press



Aug. 1s, 192s. 1,550,393

C. A. RICHARDS PRINTING PRESS Filed lay l, 1920 '7 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 18, 19.25. Y 1,556,393

. C.' A. RICHARDS PRINTING PRESS Filed -Illa!! l, 1920 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 I Q2/3"' l 2/0 im 205 Aug. 18, 1925. 1,550,393

C. A. RICHARDS PRINTING PRESS Filed Nay l, 1920 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 18, 1925.

C. A. RICHARDS PRINTING PRESS Filedvlay 1, 1920 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Aug. 18, 1925.

C. A. RICHARDS PRINTING PREs Filed )lay 1, 1920 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 C. A. RICHARDS .PRINTING PRESS Fld Gy l, 1920 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Aug. 18, 1925.

c. A. RICHARDS '7 Sheets-Sheet' 7` Patented Aug. 18, 1925.

unirse 4srATiigzs rssosrj CHARLES A. RICHARDS, 'O'F 'CHICAGQILLINOI PRINTING PRESS.

Application iled May `1,

T oJaZZ whom t may'concem: j

Be it known that '1, "GHAnLns A. RIGH- Arln's, -a citizen of the LUnited States, vresiding at Chiea'go, in the connty of Goolrra'nd State Jof Tllinois, have invented 'certain new and useful Improvements in Printing Presses, 'of which `the folloiving 'is a. speciiication.` j l n ,j

This invention relates to printingpresses.

Tt `Will be "enp'lainedasappliedto a. multieo'lor press of 'the flat platen type.

FOne 'di the objects-of 'the invention is to provide Aan 'improved `multi-'color 'printing press.

Another object is to provide a multi-color press which will be reliable in operation, and 5veasy to :adjust and maintain.

'Another-object is to provide a multi-color press 'vvith an improved 'fountain construction.

Another Objectis `to `provide a multi-color press 'With improved and reliable color distribution. Y

Another 'object is to provide a press wherein the ink i'oiiiitains 'may be readily applied vand removed in sets. I

ndthe'r object 'isto provide 'a multi-color press ivherein each impression Will be of the 'saine depth of color throughout.

nother'object is toprovide a multi-color attachment vWhich may be 'applied to ordinary printing presses.

Other objects and advantages of the invention Will appear from the specification and claims. A y

in embodiment of the invention is illustrated in 'the accompanying drawing, 1n which:

1 is a side elevation of th'ep'ress. 2 is a section on the line y2--2 of j B is'an enlarged elevation of the side oi 'the press opposite that shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. i is an enlarged section on the line 4-.4 of Fig. 2.

Fig'. 5 is an enlargedfsectio'n on the vline of Fig. 1. j j `Fig. "G is a section on ithejline 6-#6 of Fig. '5. j j j AEig. ,ji's "an enlarged section on the line T-jf'oFig. 1.

AFigJS is an enlarged partial section on the line 8-8 ofFig. 1. Y j j Fig, `9 is "a detailed 'View of part 'of the ioiintain "roller operating mechanism moved to IAthe Iback `'ci vthe press frame in position for removal. f

Fig. 1`0 Ais a vertical section thru 'an "ink fountain. i 'i Fig. 11 is a section on :the :line 11;-'1'1 of Fig. 12 is a y'sect-ion on the vline 12-12 of Fig. 9,4and j l Fig. 13 is Ia perspective of a color selecting cam `se `z`tion such fas Vusedon the printing chase. j j

rlhe press 'compri-ses, 'in generahfa pedestal A, a 'prii'iting fra-'me iB, carrying the cha-se oi i-o'rrns jto `be printed, a reciprocating platen C `jor pressing the paper 'or other material against the forms andan ink 'diss tribiiting system D for holdingand conveying the ink to theforms. The 'press is operated thru ka 'main shaft 15 which is 'rotated by 'any suitable source of Ipover belted to a pulley 16 carried by the sh'aft. VShaft 15 lhas a pinion 17 mounted thereon which engages a gear vWheel 18 carried ononeend of ashait 19. Shaft 19 has vupon its oth-erenda cam20. The operation of platen C and lthe ink 'distributing system Dare broughtabout by the rotation dfgear Wheel '18 andcam'QOas will be Lhereinafter described.

, Platen.

vPlaten C is vpiv'otally carried upon the oiiter end oi' a pair 'of connecting rods vor links '21 and 22. The inner end. of link 21 ispivoted 'to "a stud 23 projecting from the face of'cain 20 eccent-rically'of'shaft 19. In a similar 'manner 'the end of link 22 is 'pivoted to `Va istud Q4 projecting from "the 'face di :gear VWheel-18 eccentrically 'of shaft 1S). Thus 'when KVgear Wheel 18, shaft l19 and cam 2O are rotated, platen C is reciprocated from the dotted line position'oi Fig. -l'avvay from the printing `irameor chase to the full lineposition of Fig. 1 againstfthe printing ifraineor chase. In the latter position, the paper o'r other material carriedjon the Aiface of the platen'ispressed against the lprinting forms carried by the chase, and the def sired impressions are-made.l

'Tzez'nc distributing system.

Iii-Ic fountain 'seta- The ink fountains kin which the vari-colored links 'are stored, 'are arranged 1n horizontal or transverse "IOvvs yto or sets. The sets are bodily adjustable and removable from the press and each fountain of a set is independently adjustable to govern the supply of ink.

In the press chosen for illustration, there are four sets of fountains 30, 3l, 32 and arranged one beneath the other. Each set comprises six individual fountains. This particular press thus provides for a maximum of twenty-four different colors or shades. Presses may be constructed for greater or lesser maximum numbers of colorsV or shades by increasing or decreasing the number of sets of fountains or the number of fountains per set or both.

Since the sets of fountains and the individual fountains are all alike, onlyone set and one fountain will be described.

As shown in Figure 8, a set of fountains comprises a casing or frame with opposite end walls and a back and bottom wall The casing also has removable intermediate` walls 36 separating` the individual fountains. End walls 34 are positioned in between pairs of guides 37. Guides 37 project inwardly from the edges of opposite sides of horizontally disposed slots 38 in the opposite sides of the upper press frame 39. The forward ends of end walls 34 provide bearings for a shaft 40 upon which is mounted the fountain rollers 4l. Fountain rollers 41 are feathered to shafts 40 so that they may be axially moved thereon and rotated thereby. Into the rear edges of end walls 34 are threaded adjustable locking screws 45. Each screw has a dog 46 loosely mounted thereon and adapted to be held in any desired position between lock nuts 4'?. Dogs 46 cooperate with notches 4S in guides 37 to retain the sets of fountains in proper position. Each set, as an entirety, may be moved baci: between guides 3? for cleaning, reinking, etc.. or may be removed from the press bodily by turning dogs 46 out of notches 48. The fountain roller sets being carried by thc fountain frames or castings keep the fountains intact during this backward movement or remove. The position of a set in the pressl may be readily varied by changing the position of a dog 4S upon corresponding screw [1r/c jfoafaumns-ilr fountain comprises a trougl1-shaped compartment, the forward side of which is formed lv a fountain roller 4l. The fountain roller. nay be made of suitable metal. The bottoni of a fountain is formed of a resilient plate 50. Plate 50 may be made of a thin sheet of spring steel or other suitable material. rlhe rear edge or heel of plate 5() is spaced from wall 35 by a block 5l and is secured thereto by set screws 52. rEhe forward edge or toe of each plate 50 is in close proximity to or in contact with the corresponding fountain roller 41.

rlhe fountain roller is rotated in the direction of the arrow, as will be hereinafter described, to convey ink from the fountain, and plate 5o acts as a valve to control thc liow or quantity of inl; conveyed to the ductor rollers, to be hereinafter described.

The relation between each fountain roller 4l and corresponding plate 5l) is controlled by an adjusting screw Screw 52 passes through a threaded hole in wall 35 and its forward end engages plate 50. 'lhreading screw forward presses the toe of plate 50 closer to or against roller 4l, whereby less ink is conveyed from the fountain. Thread ing screw 52 rearwardly allows the toe of plate ol) to separate a greater distance from roller 4l allowing a greater amount of inl; to be delivered from the fountain.

ln the press illustrated there are therefore twenty-four independently adjustable inlring fountains and a corresponding number of inlfing rollers or inliing roller sections. The fountains and inling rollers are grouped in four rows or sets of six fountains or rollers each.

rfhe removable intermediate walls of the fountains and the feathered mounting of the fountain rollers on their respective shafts allow the width of colors to be increased as desired. 'llo provide a wider color impression, it is only necessary to remove one or more of the intermediate walls to increase the size of a fountain and to slide together the corresponding fountain rollers.

Rot/tion of' formt/rnroZZc/laHln order to facilitate the removal of inl; from the fountains and the even distribution thereof to the doctor rollers to be hereinafter described, the fountain rollers are positively rotated at tbe proper time. 'lie amount of this rotation can be varied at will or rotation may be stopped aliogcther, as will be hereinafter described.

Each fountain roller shaft 40 is provided with a ratchet wheel 35 at one end thereof. Each shaft 40 also has pivotally mounted thereon a ratchet lever 5o. Each ratchet lever 5G carries a pawl 57 ivoted and secured thereto by a bolt biasing spring 59 maintains pawl in yielding engagement with ratchet wheel 55. When the outer end of lever 56 is raised, pawl 5i' pafsei inactively over ratchet wheel 5.3, but when the outer end of lever 5G is lowered, the pawl turns ratchet wheel 553, and consequently the corresponding` fountain rollers, in the direction of the arrow.

All of the levers 56 of the several fountain rollers are linked to an oscillating bar 6l by pin and slot connections G2. Bar Gl is carried upon the outer end of two levers (it), being pivotally secured thereto by bolts 64. Levers (S3 are pivotally secured to the fran'ie at their inner ends, by bolts G5. AThe lower lever 68 has a link or connecting rod lili 67 pivoted to its outer end. Connecting rod 67 has an yadjustable collar 68 and is surrounded by a coiled spring 69. Rod 67 also has an adjustable collar and passes loosely through an ali-n". 76 pivotally carried upon a reciprocating counter weight 7 7.

Counter' weight 77 balances the reciprocating forni roller carriage to be hereinafter described. Counter weight 77 is connected to and carried by a shaft 8 throughK l arin 79. Shaft 78 'ari-ies adjacent one end a bi'furcated crank 80. Crank 80 has a pin 81 interconnecting its bifurcated end sind this pin niay be positioned `within the open slot 82 of a lever Lever 83 is pivotally connected to one arie of a bell crank lever 84 by a pivot pin Bell crank lever 8% is carried by 'a stud shaft 86 projecting from the pedestal of the press. rllhe other arin of lever 84e has a pair of cain rollers 87 positioned within a rain groove 88 in the inside face of gear Wheel. 18. Cain groove 88 is formed so that the rotation of wheel 18 causes lever 88 to oscillate and, when pin l81 is within the bottoni or closed end of slot 82 shown in Fig. 1 Vthe forni roller carriage, to be hereinafter described, and its counter weight 77 are oscillated. The oscillation of counter weight 77 raises and lowers rod 67 Vand the outer end of lever 63 and consequently intermittently rotates the fountain rollers. rl"he nains are so positioned that the fountain rollers are rotated while they are engaged bythe ductor rollers.

The effect of the oscillation of counter weight 7 7 upon the fountain rollers and consequently the ainount of rotation of the fountain rollers for each reciprocation of the counter weight inay be varied by changing the positions of collars 68 and 7 5. rlhus each oscillation of counter Weight 7 7 inay rotatethe fountain roller shafts the equivalent of one or several teeth of ratchet wheels 55 as desired. y

The press is provided with a trip lever 89 which cooperates with a horn or cani 90 eXtendi'ngfroni lever 88 to control the oscillation of shaft 78. Under ordinary operating conditions, lever 89 is in such position that pin 8 1 is locked in slot 82 as shown in Fig. 1. Then the forinroller carriage and counter weight are oscillated and the fountain rollers are intermittently and positively rotated as previously described.

Movin-g lever 89 to its lother position causes it to engage cain 90 `elevating' the free end of lever 83. The opening in slot 82 is then brought into register with pin 81 and the oscillation of lever 83 through cani groove 88 and cani rollers 87 is no longer. conin'iunic'ated to crank 80 and' shaft 78, becauie the opening in slot 80 of lever 8813ermits the lever to inove back and forth without carrying pin 81 with it. Consequently the oscillation of the forni roller carriage and the rotation of the fountain rollers ceases.

This is of considerable advantage `as inking ceases when the printing stops 'anderzcess of colors do notfaccun'iu'late -in 4the ink distributing system.

yThe enlargements at the rear ends lof "slots 38 allow the ratchet wheels 55 and ratchet levers 56 to be passed therethrough when a set of fountains is to be reinoved from the press. The fountain sets ina-y thus be Yremoved .readily fer cleaning and repair.

B12025071 roZZers.-l1ssociated with fountain set is la ductor roller for transferring the ink from the fountain rollers to the vibrator rollers hereinafter described, of a corresponding set." There'are consequently four ductor rollers 95. rlhe ductor rollers are preferably 4of rubber or suitable composition.

Each ductor roller 95 .is provided with a shaft 96. The opposite ends of shaft 96 are individually journaled in small brackets 97. Brackets 97 are k'provided with threaded holes for receiving set screws 98 which rpass through the tivo ends 99 of a ductor frame. The top and bottoni of the `ductor fraine are formed of rods 100 and 101 secured at their ends to the opposite end frames 99. The ductor fraine thus carries all 'of the ductor rollers and each roller is independently ad'- justable at both ends. rlhis adjustability i-s accomplished by the set screws 98. lVli'en the set screws are loosened, the corresponding brackets y97 may be' rotated thereabout. When the set screws are tightened, the corresponding bracket is clamped in position againstthe end of the ductor frame.

The ductor franie as 'a whole is capable of being oscillated so that thek ductor rollers are inoved into and out of engagenfient with the fountain rollers and the vibrator rollers toy be hereinafter described.

Each end 99 of the ductor fraine is provided with a pair of hollow studs 105. Into the holes of each stud extends the end of a screw 106 threaded through one 'arm of a bell crank lever 107. The two upper bell crank levers, one on each side of 'the press, arepivoted on studs 108 at the respective sides of press frame 39. The two lower bell 4rank levers 107, kone on each side of the press, are carried by and secured to a shaft 109. Shaft 109 is journaled in suitable bearings in press fraine89. The bell crank levers on each side of the press are joined, to operate together, by a link 110.

Secured to shaft 109 is a lever 115 carrying a cain roller 116. Cain roller 116 rides upon the surface of cani 20 and reciprocates shaft 109, levers 107 and the entire ductor fraine in accordance with the high and low portions lof the cani. A coiled spring 117 maintains cain roller 116 under pressure upon the surface `of 4cani v20.

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The ouctor traine is moved b y the 'torce cam 2O into the position wherein the ductor rollers enga j fountain rollers. he return of the ductor traine is assisted by a coiled spring 11S which is secured at one end to one arm ot one oit the lower ductor frame levers 107 and at its other end to press trame 39.

rlhus as cam 2O is rotated 'from the power shaft, the ductor trame is oscillated torth and back so that the ductor rollers alternately engage the fountain rollers and the vibrator rollers.

Vibrator rollers-ln front of the ductor rollers, in a position to be engaged hereby during the torward noi-*ement ot the ductor traine, are positioned. a plurality ot vibrator rollers 125. rlhese rollers may be made of steel or other suitable material.

Vibrator rollers or roller sections 125 are arranged sets corresponding to tle sets ot fountains and each set has as many rollers or sections as there are fountains in a set. For the press illustrated, there are, therefore, tour sets of vibrator rollers, each set consisting of six rollers or sections. The rollers or sections are adjustably secured to their respective sha'lits by set ser ,vrs or other suitable means.

Each set ot vibrator rollers is mounted upon a shalt 126. rllhe projecting ends of shaftt 126 are individually j ournaled in independent bearing blocks 12T. Blocks 12T are vertically grooved on both their tront and back sides to accommodate and torni ways tor a pair ot guides 128 termed in uprights ol press trame 59. rllhe lower blocks, on each side ot' the press, rest on projections 129 and the stacks or tiers ot bearing block are retained and securely held in position by screws 130.

rlhe vertical position ot each set of vibrator rollers is independently adjustable on both sides. This may be readily acconr plished by inserting or removing small wedges or shins between the bearing blocks whose adjustment is desired.

Vibration of /Ubmor rollers-ln order to facilitate the even distribution ot' ink both to and trom the vibrator rollers, these rollers are given a slight, positive, longitudinal or axial to and tro movement called vibration.

fear wheel 18 drives a pinion 135 se aired the to a shaft 136. tli'ialt 13b extends across the press and is jcurnaled in suitable bearings in press trame 89. VSear one end within the press traine, shalt cai 'ies a worm 13?. lllorin 13T engages a worm wheel 138 jourualed on a stud carried by a bracket 139 secured to press frame 39. llivoted to worn wheel 13S eccentrically ot its axis is a connecting rod 1110. T he other end ot rod lll() is pivotally connected to a plunger 141 ex tending through one ol the uprights ot press eine Eli). rlhe outer end ot plunger 141 ear ries a togo-le block 142. 'l'he extent ot the reeiprocation ot plunger ,i4-1 may l e varied to regulate the amount or vibration b v changing the eccentricity ot connecting rod 1110 relative to worin wheel 138. This is accomplished through au adjustable bolt lati-l.

Journaled on a pair ot studs 1414 and 14175 projecting rearwardly from the tront ot' press tra ne 39, are toggle levers 146 and le", respectively. liach lever 146 and lll? has a pair otl grec ed lugs 1418. The groove in lugs 14S fit over collars 149 secured to the respective vibrator roller sha-tts 126, riQhe toggle levers are also provided with a cooperating tongue and slot connection 156 tor coininuniczning motion between them. fr similar tongue and slot connection 151 is provided between toggle lever 146 and tog gle block 142. l lfslhen plunger 'lill is rcciprocated by the rotation oli gear wheel 135, shat't 136 and worm .vheel 13S, lever 146 is oscillated about its pivot lelll. The oscillation ot lever 1/1-6, througlgrooved lugs 14:8 and collars 150, alternately forces the two lower vibrator roller shatts 126 in and out. 'the oscillation ot' lever 146 also causes the oscillation of toggle lever 14T about its pivot let-5. The oscillation ot lever 1417 produces a similar alternate in and out movement or vibration ot the two upper vibrator roller sha Thus the longitudinal or axial nio nient is positively communicated to the vibrator rollers and their movement reudered more exact and reliable. This is ot importance` in multiscolor work where blending or mixing ot the colors must be prevented.

.'otatfion of ottimi/0r rollend-The vibrator rollers are also positively rotated. Sha tt 136 has secured thereto a sprocket wheel .l second sprocket wheel 156 is mounted on a stud shat't carried by an adjustable bloei: 15T positioned in a small closed, rectangular slot 158 in press traine 39. An adj ustiug screw 159 threads into block 157 to varyr the position thereof Yfor regulatingthe distance between sprocket wheels 155 and 156.

ji, chain 160 passes over sprocket wheel 155 and 156 and meshes with sprocket wheel 161 feathered on the end ot the vibrato roller sha'lts 126. 'lhus the rotation oi shi tt 136, in addition to vibrating the vibrator rollers 125, positively rotates the saine. The feathered connections between shatts 126 and sprocket wheels 161, allow the sha'lts to be rotated, while at the same time` there is no interference with their axial movement. A platev 162 maintains chain 160 in operative position relative to sprocket wheels 161.

Iatewnedate r0ZZers--ln front of each set ot vibrator rollers to transfer the ink therefrom is an intermediate roller 165. lnter1nediate rollers 165 are preferably of suitable composition and are provided with shafts 166. The opposite ends of shafts 166 are individually carried in aV small bracket 167. Brackets l67 are secured to the ends 1368 of an intermediate roller frame by screws 169. The intermediate roller frame is completed by top and bottom rods 170 and forms a unit in which all of the intermediate rollers are carried. rlhe opposite ends each intermediate roller are individually adjustable by turning the correspondingvv bracketv 169 about its screw 169. rl"ifgghtening the screw then clamps the bracket and roller in position. The intermediate roller frame is held in suitable guide ways 171 on opposite sides of press frame 39. y

Front Muere-Located in front of and in contact with each intermediate roller is set of front rollers or sections 17 5. Each setcomprises as many rollers or sections as there are fountains in a Corresponding` set. ln the press illustrated there-are consequently four sets of front- -rollers of six indivudual rollers or sections. `The rollers of each. set are adjustably mounted together on a shaft 176', being secured thereto by set screws or other suitable means. rl`he front rollers are of steel or other suitable. material.

One end ofl each ofthe shafts 176 is held in an individual thrust bearing projecting from one side of press frame 39. The other end of each shaft 176 has a tongue 177 which extends into a socketv 178 carried by the end of a stud shaft 179. Shafts 179 are journailed in the side vof press frame 39 and each is provided with the sprocket wheel 180. Sprocket wheels 180 are engaged and rotated by chain 160. A plate 181 presses chain 160 into operative relation toV sprocket wheels 180.

Thus the front rollers are positively rotated to facilitate the transf-er of ink from the vibrator rollers to the form rollers.

Form rollersf-The inks as taken from the front rollers are selectively applied to the 'printing forms by form rollers 190. rlhese rollers are preferably of composition and there is one roller for each set of fountains. Form rollers 190 are provided with shafts 191 which are iournaled at opposite ends in individual bearingv blocks: 192. Bearing blocks 192 are slidablv mounted in recesses in the side frames 193vv of a form roller carriage 194. Each block has a pin extending rearwardly thru anopening in the carriage. l

A spring 196 surrounding each pin 195 hiasesthe respective blocks 192 toward the bottom of the recesses-in the carriage side frames,

Form` roller carriage 11941 is provided on its opposite .sides with guide tongues 200 which are'adapted to'slide in suitable ways in the-,press frame 39'.

- The carriage yhas pivota'lly connected to its opposite side frames a pair of links 201. Links 201 are each pivotally connected to a crank 202. @ranks 202 arev rigidly fastened y to opposite ends of shaft 7 8.

Therefore as shaft 7 8 is oscillated as hereinhefore described, the form roller carriage` is moved up and down alternately in front ythe front rollers and the printing form or c ase.

Color selecting by form rollers-Each form roller shaft 191 is provided on each end with a pair of collars or rollers 205, andy 206. The outer pair of rollers 206 of all of i the front roller shafts are in alignment, the inner pairs of rollers 205 are longitudinally adjustable on their respective shafts 191.

Rollers 205 cooperate with suitable cams on the front face of press frame 3 9 to cause the' selective engagement of the necessary sets of form and front rollers properly to remove the desired colors.

Secured to the front face of press frame 39 and acting` as one wall of the housing for 4front roller sprocket wheels 180 are a pair of cam plates 210i. Gam plates 210, one yon each side of the press framep'are proyvided `with corresponding' pairs of cams or roll-er elevating runways 211,212 and 213. rlhese cams, in the! press illustrated, are in alignment with rollers 205 of the top, next to the top and third form rollers respectively, and slope outwardly from top to bottoni as clearly shownin Fig. 4. The lowermost part of both sloping` cams of) a pair are in such a position relative to the form rollers that, as the formv roller carriage travels upward, the form Arollers selectively approach and engage the proper sets of front rollers. Thus the top 'forni roller is held away from the front rollers by the high surfaces of plates 210 until rollers 205 thereon meet cams 211. Thereupon during the remainder of the upward travel of carriage 194e the force of springs 196'o1ffthe upper form rollers gradually force blocks 192 rearwardly, carrying the 'formrollers with them and causing the uppery form'rollers to engage the upper set of front rollers.

In a similar manner -the neXt-to-the-top form roller is held away'from the two lower sets of front rollers, as the carriage moves upwardly, but is caused tofengage the nextto-the-top front'roller set. ySo also the third form roller engages only the third front roller set and the bottom form roller engages only the bottom front roller set.

In this manner each formA roller carries only the colors orshades ofthe correspondn ing set of inking fountains. The entire cirumferential surface of a given portion of each form roller, as in the case of' all offthe other rollers kof the press, thereforeis con'- fmed to a single color or shade. There'is consequently no opportunity for and no danger of circumferential or longitudinal overlapping of the colors.

Then the form roller carriage passes downwardly it moves over the printing frame so that the form rollers may selectively transfer the colors and shades to the printing forms as will hereinafter be described.

Prz'n tin-g frame.

The printing frame B comprises a rectangular frame or chase 215 detachably secured to the press and in which the various forms 216 to be printed are locked up in the usual nia-nner. ln the press illustrated, these forms are shown as rectangular clocks for producing impressions arranged in the manner of the ordinary paint card or chart for showing samples of paint colors. lilith the arrangement shown forty-eight rectangles or blocks are provided produce twenty-four different colors or shades in duplicate on one impression of the press. The colors are arranged in two groups of six horizontal or transverse rows and four vcrtical or longitudinal rows. Any lesser number of colors can be printed on the press by simply locking up the chase with a lesser number of printing forms. The capacity of presses can be varied by changing the ninnber of individual and sets of fountains and ink distributing rollers as previously er:- plained. rllhe printing forms may take various shapes, sizes and arrangements as desired.

Color selection. of print/ng firme-The form rollers as they pass over the printing frame are selectively brought into engagement with the printing forms or blocks of the chase to transfer the colored inks thereto.

On opposite sides of the chase 215 are duplicate sets of cam tracks for cooperation with the selecting` rollers 205 of the form rollers. These cam tracks may be made up in various ways. They may be composed of cam track sections 217 such as that illustrated in Fig. 13. The sections being formed in various lengths and being assembled on the chase in various combinations7 allow a ready means of setting up or arranging for the selective operation of the form rollers at the same time as the setting up of the printing forms. The cam sections are secured to chase 215 by suitable screws passing thru holes 218. The screws thread into wedge shaped nuts which may be adjustably positioned in grooves in the chase. T/Vhen the screws are turned the nuts wedge into the grooves to hold the cam tracks firmly in position.

The high or elevated portions of the cam sections, when engaged by rollers 205, maintain a form'roller far enough away from the chase to prevent the roller engaging the printing forms. On the other hand the sloping portions of two abutting` cam sections allow the force of springs 196 to cause the form rollers to approach the printing` frame and finally reach a position to strike the printing forms. Thus as the form roller carriage passes to its lowermost position7 he form rollers are selectively brought into contacting relation to horizontal or transverse rows of printing forms andv` because of this engagement, the continuing` downward movement of the form roller carriage causes the form rollers to be rotated upon the forms to evenly apply the ink over the entire surface thereof. rllhis rotation of the form rollers over the surface of the printing; forms is produced bv the engagement of the outer rollers 206 of a depressed forni roller and the tracks 219 on the outer edges of the printing frame.

In the press illustrated the low portions of the inside cam tracks upon which ride the selectingrollers 205 of the bottom form roller are designated 220` These low portions are in horizontal alignment with the fourth and eighth rows of printing forms. In consequence. as the form roller carriage passes downwardly over the printing' frame. the colors carried by the bottom forni roller are transferred to the printing forms of 'both the fourth and eighth rows of forms. In a similar manner the low portions 221 of the second cam tracks canse the colors of the next to the bottom form roller to be transferred to the third and seventh rows of forms. Likewise the colors of the top form roller are transferred to the first and Hfth rows of forms and the colors of the neXt to the top form roller are transferred to the second and sixth rows of forms.

The first four horizontal rows of forms may thus impress twenty-four different colors or shades and the lower four rows. a duplicate set of colors at one impression of the press. Every form in each row. either laterally or longitudinally. may print a different color or shade.

ln order to prevent the form. rollers from passing over their respective rows of forms during both the downward and upward travel of the form roller earr'aee` the forni rollers are lifted clear of the cam tracks on the upward travel of the cariafre. This prevents the production of :so-called ghosts or two depths of color on the same form.

`Pivoted to each side frame 193 of the form roller carriage are a pair of levers 222 and 223. Connecting bars 224. pivotally connected to the inner ends of levers 222 and bear ainst the backs of forni roller shaft bearing blocks 192. By rocking either of levers 122 or 123 the operator may force all of the form rollers away from the forms against the pressure of springs 1,96 This is also accomplished. au-

tomatically during` the reciprocationof `the form rollers are maintained in this position until the forni roller carriage is alga-in in front of the front rollers. During; the upward movement of the form roller carriage lever 225 engages a stop 230 secured to press frame 39. Thereupon the lever is depressed and springs 196 `force their respective form rollers rearward-ly where the rollers on the front roller shafts engag'ethc cams on the press frame and the front rollers may be selectively brought into contact with the front rollers.

Summary of operation..

Summarized briefly, the operation of the press is ais follows:

The rotation of main drive shaft 1,5 ro tates gear Wheel 18 and cam 20.

The rotation of gear wheel 18 drives shaft 136 which, through chain 160, rotates the vibrator rollers 125 and the front rollers 175 and, through worm 137, Worm Wheel 138, connecting rod 140, plunger 141` andthe toggle levers 145 and 146. moves the vibrator rollers transversely of their axes. The rotation of gear wheel 18, through the cam inr the face thereof,v also causes form roller carriage 194 to move up where the form rollers 190 engage the front rollers and down Where the form rollers may enga'g'e the printing forms 216. In the upward movement, the form roller sets are selectively brought into contact with the proper front roller sets. As the form rollers pass over the printing forms, the form roll-er sets are'. selectively brought into engagement With the proper sets or transverse rows of forms. The cam in the face of gear wheel 18, through weight 77 and con-y necting" rod G7 and the levers associated therewith, also causes the positive rotation of the fountain rollers. This rotation is intermittent and is so timed that it takes pla'ce while the fountain rollers and the ductor rollers are in contact.

The rotation of gear wheel 18v and 4cam 20' through Vlinks 21 Amove the platen to and from printing position rlhe operation of the platen and form roller carriage is so timed thatv the platen is against the paper while the form rollers are up collecti-'ng inl from the front rollers and is against its back stopj for the reception of the material to be printed upon when the form rollers down imparting their ink to the printing forms.

Jam 20. through levers 115, 106 and 107, also oscillates the ductor frame so that the ductor rollers are alternately inoved into engagement with the fountain rollers and the vibrator rollers.

The ink distributing' and color selecting' mechanism is so mounted on the press and is so constructed, that it maybe applied readily to ordinary platen presses. The individual and collective adjustment, insertion and removal of the inlring fountains is readily accomplished and the colors are dis tributedV and appliedy and kept absolutely separated. The number and` `arrangfement of colors up to vthe maximum yof any given press may be varied at will. Each row of printing `forms either laterally or longitudinally may print as many different colors as there are fountains in a given row.

Having `described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is z- 1. A multi-color printing press attachment having a` supporting' framework, provided with guide-ways, a plurality of inl; fountain frames movablv mounted in and removable from the guide-ways of thevr supporting' framework, a set of individual inlr` fountains adjustably mounted on each foun tain frame, said fountains having' adjustable sections for closing' each fountain and permitting ink to be talrenl therefrom, printing frame in which forms may be set to correspond to the fountains'. and means for selectively applying' inks from the foun# tains to forms in the frame.

2. A multi-color printing press attach# ment having a supportingl framework. a plurality of inlrfountain frames individually adjustable andv removable from the frameworlr, a set cfindividual ink fountains adjustably mountedV on each ink fountain frame, saidv fountains comprising' a sectioned ink conveying` roller mounted on each ink fountain frame and for talking` inks .from the fountains' thereof.y a ductor roller frame movable toward and awayfrom the fountains',v a ductor roller for each set of fountains and adjustably carried by the ductor frame, an axially oscillating vibrator roller for each setv of fountains and enran'eable bv the ductor rollers, a front roller for each set of fountains, an intermediate roller between each vibrator roller andthe corresponding front roller, means for positivelyv rotating` the vibrator rollers and front rollers, a frame for holding printing forms in setsV correspond-ing to the sets of fountains, aA form roller carriage' movable alternately over the front rollers and the" forms7 selectable form rollers carried by the form roller carriage, selecting' means for selectively effecting` engagement between certain form rollers and certain sets of forms and means for preventing' engagement between form and front rollers when the form roller carriage moves in one direction.

3. A multi-color printing` press having` a, frame for holding printing` fran'ies in prearranged sets. a plurality of inl; fountain frames for carrying' sets of fountains corresponding' to the form sets, a 'fountain roller for each set of fountains and carried by the corresponding; fountain frame, a ratchet movement for rotating' each 'fountain roller, means whereby each fountain frame may be independently adiusted and removed, and selectively' operated inl distributing' means for conveying inl: from certain fountains to corresponding' sets of forms.

il. A. printing press having;` a printing frame for holding forms in sets to loe printed, a reciprocatable form roller for each set of forms. an independent inlz distributing` roller for conveying' inl; to each form roller, means for selectively7 bringing' each form roller alternately into Contact with its corresponding' distributing' roller and set of forms, and means for preventingcontact between the form rollers and corresponding' distributing' rollers during` the movementof the form rollers in one direction.

5. A printing' press having' a press frame, a plurality of inl; fountains arranged in sets, a easing for holding; a set of fountains and adjustably and removably held in said frame, a fountain roller journaled in said casing and movable therewith, a printing' frame, a form roller, a form roller carriage adapted to be reeiprocated to and from said frame, means for reciprocating` said earriage, operative connections between said means and said fountain roller to rotate the fountain roller to convey inl; from said fountains, and ink distributing' rollers between said fountain roller and said form roller.

G. A printing' press having` a printing frame for holding forms to be printed, inl'- inp; rollers for inlring forms held b v said frame, a plurality inlr fountains arranged in a set, a removable casing' for holding' the set of said fountains as a unit, a fountain .roller formino' one wall of the fountains and journa-led in said casing.;` to be movable therewith and means for independently adjusting the relation between each fonntain and said fountain roller for regulating the quantity of inl; conveyed y said fenntain roller from a fountain to said inlring rollers.

7. A printing` press havinga plurality of fountains arranged in a plurality of sets, an independent casing for holding the fountains of eac-h set, a fountain roller journaledv in each casing' and forming a part of the fountains held thereby to convey the inl; therefrom, a printiin;` frame for carrying' forms to be printed. a pluralityv of form rollers, one for each fountain set, a carriage for movably carrying` said form rollers, means for n'ioving said carriage to and from said printing frame, and adjustable operative connections between said means and said fonntain rollers for adjustably and positively rotating; said :t .untain rollers. A

8. A printing press having' a plurality of sets of inl; fountains, a fountain roller for each set of fountains, a continuous duetor roller for each fountain roller, a pivotally mounted duetor frame carrying' all of said duetor rollers in independently adjustable relation and moving;- the same into and out of contact with said fountain rollers. a printing' frame for holding' forms to be printed, and sets of ink distributing` rollers for conveying' ink from said duetor rollers to the forms held by said frame.

9. A printing press having sets of inl; fountains, a duetor roller pivotally mounted to move into and out of inl: collecting position relative to each set of fountains. a prin'ing platen, means for reciprocating' said platen. a vibrator roller in position to be engaged by each duetor roller, and a driving connection between said means and said viliurator rollers to rotate and axially vibrate the same.

l0. A printing press having' a plurality of sets of ink fountains, a duetor roller pivotally mounted to move into and out of ink collecting' position relative to each set of fountains, a printing' frame for holding' forms to be printed, means for impressing` the material to be printed against the forms in said frame, power operating` mechanisn'i for operating' said means and reciprocating said duetor rollers, a vibrator roller in position to be engaged by each duetor roller duringl the reciprocation thereof, adjustable connections between said means and said vibrator rollers for moving' said vibrator rollers axially and varying' the axial movement thereof, and inl; distributing rollers for conveying' ink from said vibrator roller to the forms in said frame.

ll. A printing press having a plurality of sets of ink fountains. a duetor roller for each set of said fountains, a vibrator roller for each duetor roller to taire inl: therefrom, means for axially moving' one of said vibrator rollers, connections be tween said vibrator rollers for communicating' the arial movement therebetween, a printingr frame for holding forms to be printed, means for pressing; the material to be printed against said forms, and ink distributing; rollers for conveying; ink from said vibrator rollers to the forms.

' the action of said means, a ductor roller for each formV roller and reciprocable alternately into Vcontact with said vibrator rollers i spending to the sets and said fountain rollers, and operative connections between said means andV said fountain rollers to cause positive relative movement between said ductor rollers and said fountain rollers when the same are in contact.

13. A multi-color printing press having a platen, driving mechanism therefor, a printing frame fo-r receiving a chase upon which printing forms are set, a plurality of sets of ink fountains, a plurality of sets of fountain rollers, aductor frame supporting a plurality of sets of duc'tor rollers, a plurality of vibrator rollers there being one vibrator roller for each set of fountain rollers, vibrator mechanism operated by said platen driving mechanism and acting to positively movesaid vibrator rollers alternately in opposite directions axially, means operated by said platen driving mechanism for oscillating said ductor frame to cause said ductor rollers to alternately engage said fountain rollers and said vibrator rollers, operative connections be tween said platen driving mechanism and said fountain rollers to rotate said fountain rollers when the saine are engaged by said ductor rollers, a plurality of sets of front rollers, positively driven sets of ink distributing rollers between said vibrator rollers and said front rollers to convey the ink between corresponding sets thereof, a form roller carriage movable alternately to a position in front of said printing frame and said front rollers, a plurality of form rollers carried by said carriage there being one form roller for each set of fountains, cams for selectively causing the engagement of front and form rollers when the carriage is in front of the front rollers, and cams for selectively causing the engagement of form rollers and forms set in the printing frame when said carriage is in front thereof. s

14:. A printing press having a plurality of ink fountains for holding inks of different colors, said fountains being arranged in independently adjustable sets, a plurality of fountain rollers arranged in sets correof fountains and for conveying the inks therefrom, a ductor frame, sets of ductor rollers carried by said frame and corresponding to the sets of fountains, a vibrator roller for each fountain and arranged in corresponding sets, sets of intermediate rollers corresponding to the sets of fountains, a form Vroller for each set of fountains, a carriage for carrying and reciprocating said form rollers to and from said intermediate rollers, a printing frame for carying forms to be printed and over which saidv form rollers reciprocate to carry ink to the forms, means for pressing the material to be printed against said forms, and driving mechanism for positively rotating said fountain rollers and said vibrator rollers, axially moving said vibrator rollers, reciprocating said form roller carriage and moving said means.

15. A multi-color printing press having a plurality of ink fountains adapted tobe arranged in sets, a set of ink distributing rollers for each fountain set, a printing frame for receiving printing forms arranged in sets corresponding to the fountains, a form roller for each fountain set, a form roller carriage for holding the form rollers and movable forth and back so that the form rollers are carried over the distributing rollers and over the forms, means for causing selective contact between form rollers and distributing rollers and between form rollers and forms, and means for preventing oontact between all of the form rollers and all of the distributing rollers when the carriage is moving in one direction and permitting contact between certain form rollers and'oorresponding distributing rollers when the carriage is moving in the opposite direction. v

16. A multi-color printing press having a series of removable ink fountain frames, a fountain roller shaft journaled in each frame and removable therewith, a set of individually removable and adjustable ink fountains carried by each frame comprising a fountain roller for each of said fountains, said roller carried by said shaft, a type frame for carrying printing forms in sets corresponding to fountain sets, and means for selectively transferring ink from each fountain set to a corresponding set of forms.

17. A printing press as set forth in claim 16 wherein each fountain frame is adjustably carried by guideways associated with the press framework.

lio

18. A printing press as set forth in claim f scribed my name.

CHARLES A. RICHARDST 

